U-Line Wine Captain® Product Line Protects Wine

May 24, 2006 2:00:00 AM

MILWAUKEE - Grape variety, region of origin and vintage are all important characteristics of fine wines. But once bottled, the most critical factor for wine is proper storage and preservation. Without it, even the best bottle will be nothing more than a lingering disappointment.

"As interest in wine has grown in popularity, so has the demand for appliances that protect wine,” remarks Phil Uihlein, president and CEO of U-Line Corporation, leading innovator of premium wine storage units and built-in undercounter refrigeration appliances. “Consumers rely on wine storage products to provide safe and stable environments so they never have to worry about maintaining the integrity of their collections. U-Line understands this and is committed to developing the best technology for wine storage.”

The nuances of wine storage are many and can intimidate even experienced collectors. U-Line, pioneer in residential wine storage appliances since 1985, honed the science of storing wine and developed the most advanced product line available. U-Line’s complete Wine Captain® line takes the guesswork out of wine storage and assures wine enthusiasts that their collections are safeguarded by the most advanced technology.

With the broadest product collection available, including door front models and the first-ever drawer system, the Wine Captain® product is a showpiece appliance with substance. Designed and engineered to provide safe and versatile storage for all wines, multiple temperature zones allow Wine Captain models to chill different varieties at their optimum serving temperatures in the same unit. In addition to providing a stable temperature environment, each model is vibration safe and maintains 50 percent relative humidity for short or longer term storage.

The Échelon Series Wine CaptainThe Échelon Series Wine Captain is the most distinctive wine storage appliance available. Tinted, thermal-tempered glass doors provide a clear view of the contents while preventing harmful light rays from penetrating the cabinet. Black interiors create a dramatic backdrop for showcasing bottles. Sliding wine racks are accented with natural wood fronts that can be custom finished with stain to match existing cabinetry or replaced with a solid surface material.

Each traditional door front Wine Captain model is engineered with U-Line’s exclusive triple temperature zone technology. Three distinct temperature zones allow a homeowner to chill different wines at their optimum serving temperatures within a single unit. Red wines are stored in the upper section at approximately 55 degrees; white wines in the middle at approximately 50 degrees; and sparkling wines in the lower section at approximately 45 degrees. Within each zone, the Wine Captain maintains a stable temperature environment making it safe to store any wine throughout the entire cabinet. Touch Control Digital technology allows the homeowner to set one temperature zone and monitor all three.

The Échelon Series provides ample storage for wine collections. Model 2175WC measures 24-inches wide and stores 48 standard .75-liter bottles. At just 15-inches wide, model 2115WC is ideal for smaller spaces and collections up to 24 bottles. Both models are available in black or stainless steel. If a homeowner prefers to integrate appliances with existing cabinetry, models 2175WCOL and 2115WCOL allow the glass door fronts to be outfitted with custom frames.

The 2175DWRWC Wine Captain Drawer has many of the same distinctive features as the door front models. Tinted, thermal-tempered glass drawer fronts prevent harmful light from damaging the wine while providing a clear view of the racks inside. Open the drawers and the wine racks automatically cascade outward. Wood-trimmed rack fronts can be stained to match existing cabinetry or replaced with solid surface materials. The lower drawer features an attractive wine caddy that transfers up to three bottles of wine anywhere in the home. Together, the racks and caddy provide storage for 43 standard .75 liter bottles of wine.

Designed with two distinct temperature zones, the Wine Captain Drawer model also offers important storage options. By programming different temperature settings between 40 and 60 degrees for each drawer, different types of wine can be stored at their optimal serving temperatures in separate drawers. Like the other Wine Captain models, a stable environment also means that a variety of wines can be safely stored throughout both drawers. Innovative TouchSensor™ controls on the drawer front make setting and monitoring temperature easy.

The Origins Series Wine CaptainThe evolution of U-Line’s two original Wine Captain models is most impressive. Tinted, thermal-tempered glass doors prevent harmful light from damaging wine and reveal the stylish interiors. Once fixed and canted, new wine racks slide out of the cabinet and are enhanced with wood fronts that can be custom finished with stain or replaced with solid surface materials. Stainless steel models feature a bold commercial-type handle that adds a strong visual element to the exterior. New push button digital controls allow the homeowner to easily set one temperature zone and monitor all three. The 24-inch-wide model 1175WC holds up to 48 standard bottles, while the 15-inch-wide model 1115WC offers a capacity of up to 24 bottles.

For more than 40 years, U-Line Corporation has been the leading innovator of premium built-in, undercounter ice makers, Combo® ice maker/refrigerators, Wine Captain® wine storage models, refrigerators, refrigerated drawers and refrigerator/freezers. U-Line is family operated and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.